しかし

しかし
conjunction
however, but
formalwrittengrammatical
1. however, but, nevertheless
A formal conjunction used to introduce contrast or contradiction. More formal than でも.
しかし、難(むずか)しい。
However, it's difficult.
高(たか)いです。しかし、いい物(もの)です。
It's expensive. However, it's a good product.
雨(あめ)が降(ふ)っています。しかし、出(で)かけます。
It's raining. However, I'll go out.
彼(かれ)は若(わか)いです。しかし、仕事(しごと)がとても上手(じょうず)です。
He is young. However, he is very good at his job.
この店(みせ)は有名(ゆうめい)です。しかし、値段(ねだん)が高(たか)いので、あまり行(い)きません。
This shop is famous. However, since the prices are high, I don't go often.

しかし is a conjunction meaning 'however' or 'but' that introduces a contrasting or opposing statement.

Formality scale

Usage

しかし typically begins a new sentence to contrast with the previous one. It's common in essays, news articles, and formal speeches.

Position in sentence

Always appears at the beginning of a sentence or clause.

Example pattern

[Statement A]。しかし、[Contrasting statement B]。

Related words

Related Words

Synonym: でも (casual)
Synonym: けれども (neutral)
Compare: ところが (unexpected result)
Related: だが ('but')
Related: 但(ただ)し ('however')
Compare: ただ (free)
Related: それにしても (even so)
Compare: だけれども (although)
Compare: もっとも (however)
Compare: だけども (but)
Compare: だけれど (but)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:29 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
00500/00986_shikashi